Integrity enters the field of “illicit gain” and stops inflation by 266 billion dinars, 30 NOV

 Integrity enters the field of “illicit gain” and stops inflation by 266 billion dinars, 30 NOV

During a review on Thursday, Judge Haider Hanoun, the head of the Federal Integrity Commission, highlighted Iraq’s efforts to combat corruption in the past year. He urged international organizations to acknowledge the country’s achievements in deterrence, prevention, awareness, and education, which he described as “unprecedented.” However, he also pointed out that there were still challenges in tackling illicit gain, citing files inflated by over a quarter of a trillion dinars.

Hanoun delivered at the European Union mission forum in Iraq on International Anti-Corruption Day. The conference was titled “Iraq… Prospects and Challenges of Combating Corruption”. He mentioned that the Commission had made significant progress in the fight against corruption and that Iraq’s experience in this field is almost unparalleled globally. Hanoun urged international organizations to give Iraq its due recognition and rank it highly in the anti-corruption index.

Hanoun reviewed the Authority’s preventive education and awareness-raising efforts over a year. The Authority launched an extensive campaign to follow up on the debts of senior officials and the inflation occurring therein. Hanoun stressed that opening this file resulted in significant achievements. The funds amount to an amount that represented inflation in light of the technical reports of the Prevention Department. The referral of its files to the judiciary exceeds 266 billion dinars.

The head of the Integrity Commission expressed gratitude towards the judiciary and the current government for their support in the Commission’s efforts to combat corruption within state institutions. The Commission aims to recover the accused and the funds related to crime inside and outside Iraq. It has also cooperated with the international community to conclude agreements. Some of these efforts have resulted in the successful recovery of funds and the conviction of those who committed corruption.

Hanoun expressed his appreciation for the significant efforts made by international and regional organizations in assisting Iraq in combating corruption. He specifically mentioned the United Nations Development Program and the European Union mission, which funded the project entitled “Supporting Justice Initiatives to Combat Corruption and Promoting the Settlement of Commercial Disputes.” Hanoun also acknowledged the contributions of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The European Union.

European Union Ambassador Thomas Seiler remarked that corruption is a global problem that affects even developed nations. Its impact can be seen in various sectors, such as healthcare, security, and education. He emphasized that effectively combating corruption is crucial to eradicating poverty and unemployment. On the other hand, the proliferation of corruption can lead to organized crime, which negatively affects the local economy and undermines public trust in the system and the government.

Seiler commended Iraq for its recent efforts in combating corruption, which have demonstrated to the European Union and countries worldwide that Iraq is committed to fighting this crime and adhering to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. He emphasized that a society governed by the rule of law creates an attractive environment for investments and facilitates the creation of a strong economy.

Baghdad resume

The Deputy President of the Baghdad Court of Appeal – Al-Rusafa, Judge Iyad Mohsen Damad, has acknowledged the cooperation and coordination between the judiciary and regulatory agencies in the fight against corruption. He highlighted that the Supreme Judicial Council plans to establish specialized courts to handle cases related to integrity issues. The council also seeks to support judges in their rulings against those who misuse public funds and help recover smuggled funds.

According to Damad, the collaboration and coordination among the Integrity Commission, Supervision Bureau, and Anti-Money Laundering Office led to the development of the Financial Investigation Guide. This guide is now available for investigative judges and investigators to utilize in their work.

Sudanese role

Moayad Al-Saadi, the advisor to the Prime Minister, has emphasized Al-Sudani’s commitment to progress with the anti-corruption agenda. He has also stated that the regulatory agencies will be supported in their efforts to hold accountable those who have stolen public funds, without any exceptions for government employees.

Al-Saadi concluded by stating that Al-Sudani encouraged taking legal action against anyone, whether a current or former official, who dares to misuse public funds. He praised the efforts of the Federal Integrity Commission in combating and preventing corruption.